PL vs Flourescent, Lamp, FL Options

[CHLeong]

Hi bro,
I am kind of confuse by many who has been using the term "PL" as Plant Light. To me PL is a model offer by both Oscram and Philips for their compact fluorescent lighting. PL lights is still fluorescent lights and can be bought from lighting shops.
Generally there are 3 common types of fluorescent tube, Daylight, Cool white and warm white (not including other colour and UV tubes). Each has a different colour spectrum and temp. Warm white and cool white cannot be used for planted tank or to start green water, except Daylight
Daylight flurosecent which has 6500K is good for both green water and planted tank and they can be bought cheaply from any electrical shop or departmental stores. Personally, i have successfully kept planted tanks with just normal "Daylight" FL. See attach pictures.





I stand to be corrected.

[The Matrix]

yup u r correct. funny hor, sometime horrifying to know many newbies got chop.

now technology high high ... shorter PL can give high power output than the normal straight FL mah and even better color rendering. PLC, PLD, PLT, PLL, PLQ, PLS, PML ... so many types out there.

[namrfigk]

Hi bro,
I am kind of confuse by many who has been using the term "PL" as Plant Light. To me PL is a model offer by both Oscram and Philips for their compact fluorescent lighting. PL lights is still fluorescent lights and can be bought from lighting shops.
Generally there are 3 common types of fluorescent tube, Daylight, Cool white and warm white (not including other colour and UV tubes). Each has a different colour spectrum and temp. Warm white and cool white cannot be used for planted tank or to start green water, except Daylight
Daylight flurosecent which has 6500K is good for both green water and planted tank and they can be bought cheaply from any electrical shop or departmental stores. Personally, i have successfully kept planted tanks with just normal "Daylight" FL. See attach pictures.



I stand to be corrected.

if im not wrong, desireless mentioned in his journal that a minimum of 55w is needed to cultivate green water. yet the philips daylight deluxe only has maximum wattage of 40w, isn't this insufficient?

[CHLeong]

if im not wrong, desireless mentioned in his journal that a minimum of 55w is needed to cultivate green water. yet the philips daylight deluxe only has maximum wattage of 40w, isn't this insufficient?

Desireless is right, follow the journal. Just remember PL or any fluorescent should be "daylight".

Cheers.

[CHLeong]

yup u r correct. funny hor, sometime horrifying to know many newbies got chop.

now technology high high ... shorter PL can give high power output than the normal straight FL mah and even better color rendering. PLC, PLD, PLT, PLL, PLQ, PLS, PML ... so many types out there.

Yup, new technology always assist us in our spending.

[desireless]

Actually when I mentioned 55W PL lamp in the past, it was meant to guide newbies into getting the right kind of light. There was also concern with whether lamps with lower (than 55W) wattage, although with the correct brightness, will be strong enough to penetrate through green water. There was one model of PL light from Osram that emits 6000K colour temp (daylight, noon) that works on 55Watt, so to standardize on things and for the ease of searching in the market, I specifically indicated using 55watt ballast.

With the many kinds of lamps springing up these 2 years, I guess you can get equally workable lamps for green water lower than the 55 watts rating. I have not used T5 (another type of compact flourescent which is rated at 36Watt) before, but the feedback from some members is that it works for green water too.

For common plant lights, there is not much concern for the wattage (for penetration) as that would be dealing with clear water generally.

Your surest bet for green water would be using Metal Halide (MH) light

[celf98]

Hey,

Just wondering... I have a 400l tank, would 2 40watts be enough to help stimulate the growth of nice green algae on the bottom and side of the glass tank ? Oh, how long should I turn the lights on?

Thankx.

[desireless]

For wall algae, there is no concern for penetration so the only issue is whether you have the correct "brightness".

For that, you have to ensure the box says "Daylight" brightness, suited for 40watt in your case.